Jaina Archaeological Heritage of Tamilnadu

Author(s): A Ekambarnathan
Publisher: Bharat Varshiya Digambar Jain Mahasabha

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JAINA BRONZES
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Brahma, seem to have gone into the final make up of Brahmadeva. His cult was popular at Tirunarungondai, where a beautiful bronze image of Brahmadeva dated to 19th cent.A.D. is under worship. He is accompanied by Purna and Pushkala. Brahmadeva is in ardhautkutikasana on an elephant, with jatabhara, holds a lakuda in his right arm, left stretched out arm and rests on left knee. There is also a yogapatta, binding his legs with the body.
KSHETRAPALA
He is the protector of kshetra or a place. His vehicle is dog and he is represented nude. The earliest representation of Kshetrapala is the rock-cut specimen at Then-Tirupparankundram near Madurai, where it is dated to 9th cent.A.D. Thereafter only around 19th cent.A.D. Kshetrapalas images had been consecrated within the temple precincts in places like Tirunarungondai, Perumandur and Uppuvelur. Bronze images of modern period are available in places like Vilukkam, etc. In these specimens, he is shown in standing posture with a dog facing left. He is with a jvalakesa and having four arms. The upper arms hold a damaru and ankusa, whereas the lower arms hold kapala and sword. He is wearing a ghantamala. A miniature carving of a Jina is found in the center of jvalakesa.
CONCLUSION
The foregoing study reveals that the Tirthankaras were depicted in metal, right from 8th cent.A.D.in Tamilnadu. However, till 16th cent.A.D. they are found scarcely. Only thereafter, more number of bronzes is available. Probably celebration of more festivals in the
Jaina temple could be one of the reasons for the